Pohang City Accelerates Deployment of Pollution-Free Hydrogen Mobility Charging Infrastructure

Namgu Hub Large-Capacity Jangheung Commercial Hydrogen Charging Station Scheduled for Completion in December

ESG Leading Company Hydrogen Commuter Bus Conversion Agreement, Rapid Introduction Planned

Hydrogen Transportation Complex Base to S

Pohang City is accelerating the rapid transition to an eco-friendly hydrogen economy society by establishing a pollution-free hydrogen mobility charging infrastructure.

Jangheung Commercial Hydrogen Refueling Station Construction Site.

First, the Jangheung commercial hydrogen charging station (located on the Dongguk S&C site in the Pohang Steel Industrial Complex), selected in April 2021 for the Ministry of Environment's private capital subsidy project with a project cost of 8 billion KRW, is currently under construction with a goal to be completed and commence commercial operation by December this year. The current progress rate is 60%.

This charging station will serve as a large-capacity commercial hydrogen charging hub in the Nam-gu area, capable of charging up to 150 hydrogen buses per day, which is expected to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy in daily life.

Currently, there are 36 hydrogen passenger cars registered and operating in the city. In the second half of this year, with a national budget and other funds totaling 8.09 billion KRW invested in the hydrogen passenger and commuter bus supply project, support will be provided for 55 passenger cars and 18 commuter buses, accelerating the supply of hydrogen commercial vehicles.

Additionally, in May, the city signed a "Hydrogen Commuter Bus Conversion Business Agreement for ESG Leading Companies" hosted by the Ministry of Environment. The agreement includes six metropolitan local governments such as Gyeongbuk Province and Seoul City, five basic local governments including Seongnam City, ESG leading companies such as POSCO and its affiliates, Hyundai Motor Company, and the National Charter Bus Business Association Federation representing transportation companies.

As a follow-up measure, POSCO Pohang Steelworks, a "Korean-style Pollution-Free Vehicle Transition 100 (K-EV 100)" company, will first introduce and supply six hydrogen commuter buses and three hydrogen passenger cars in December this year, coinciding with the commercial operation start of the Jangheung hydrogen charging station, to convert commuter buses to hydrogen buses.

POSCO Future M and others will follow next year, and a signing ceremony for the Jangheung hydrogen charging station completion test drive is also planned. Pohang also has excellent specialized infrastructure such as the Hyundai Motor Pohang High-Tech Center, where hydrogen vehicles can be inspected and repaired free of charge.

Starting next year, the city will also actively begin the "Northern Region Bus Public Garage Future Hydrogen Transportation Complex Base Construction Project," selected through a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport public contest, gradually entering the hydrogen economy in the public transportation sector.

Aerial view of the hydrogen transportation complex.

This project involves relocating the northern region public garage within the Yeongilman 4 General Industrial Complex and investing a total of 12.8 billion KRW (7.5 billion KRW national funds, 4.5 billion KRW local funds, 800 million KRW private funds) by 2025 to build a multi-purpose hydrogen transportation complex base including a liquefied hydrogen commercial charging station, ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations, and auxiliary facilities.

Currently, after administrative procedures such as site preparation and prior consultations for permits, in 2024, the project will proceed with the implementation agreement, approval of the hydrogen fuel supply facility installation plan by the Ministry of Environment, equipment and facility orders, and construction commencement, followed by the operation of the hydrogen transportation complex base around the end of 2025.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, "In line with the government's national agenda to fully open the mobility era and activate the hydrogen economy policy, we are actively advancing the establishment of hydrogen charging stations and hydrogen transportation complex bases in the region. Through this, we expect to lead the rapid entry and popularization of the hydrogen economy society, responding to the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."